I started Raising Brooklyn for two primary reasons. First, there is almost no information on the lived trans-feminine experience online, or the lived trans-feminine experience outside the typical narrative. Often, it’s difficult to find stories, or information, about the nuances and daily realities of trans-life, and, while there is more information these days regarding topics such as health care and support, it’s often contradictory, out-dated, or unreliable. There are many more topics that are either non-existent or sparse. Important things like: details of coming out to family, co-workers, clients, and friends; what to expect from HRT; different approaches to HRT; advocating for health care; how to fucking shop and find clothes (hopefully my trial and error will help someone else); navigating relationships in a completely new way; straight talk on sex; misgendering yourself internally; walking into a nail salon for the first time; or being on dating sites as a trans woman and all the complexities that lie therein. I hope this site can help other trans feminine folx navigate these waters and find identification – and just maybe provide intelligent, honest, and eye-opening information for cis people.
Second, I wanted a place to make sense of my ever changing self, body, life, thoughts, and perceptions; a quiet place to record my journey and reflect on who I’ve been, who I am, and who I want to be. One thing I can say with certainty is that whatever I say today is likely subject to revision. The “I definitely feel this way” mentality was a mistake recognized in hindsight, which I have worked to remedy. This is my experience. This is not every trans woman’s experience. All I claim is my exploration is honest and sincere, based on my self awareness at the moment. I don’t have all the answers; I don’t have a magic formula. I do, however, have strong opinions on some things and a lot to talk about. But, at the end of the day, all I offer is honest, sincere entries of my life.
So, welcome to Raising Brooklyn – one middle-aged trans woman’s journey to finding myself, living through it, and reveling in all the beauty therein – unapologetically.
Izabelle Grayce Steele says:
I decided to come, and take a good read into this experience of yours, and I must admit right from the start I see many similarities, however; my mother died from suicide 7 years ago, I knew from the age of 3 something was wrong, mom told me I was intersex and FAMAB – forcibly assigned male at birth from a decision made by my father while she was passed out after my birth. I lack any family really besides a few children, and grandchildren, I moved from the north to the south, and finally my decision was made at the age of 44, but will be 45 in several months. Thank you I will be following you from here on out thanks. I’m finding certain relationship aspects, and my surroundings, and how to proceed the most difficult. Style, and artistic ness I got covered as in style shopping etc, as I have a whole new wardrobe, and I even suppose my own style. I love the fact your a writer, I love poetry etc, and do write myself.
Brooklyn says:
Thank you so much Izabelle! You’re exactly the person I hoped would get something out of my blog. <3